Convention on Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and
International Lakes
SEMINAR ON THE ROLE OF ECOSYSTEMS
AS WATER SUPPLIERS
(Geneva, 13-14 December 2004)
The role of ecosystems of Azerbaijan forests and wetlands - as water suppliers
Rafig Verdiyev
ECORES NGO
Azerbaijan is one of the countries in the South Caucasus and has a territory of 86,600 km2 . The
range of elevation within the Republic varies from 4,480 m. in the Major Caucasus Mountains
(Bazarduzu crest) to –26.0 m (Caspian Sea level). The average altitude of the area is 384 m with 18
per cent of the area below sea level, 39.5 per cent is between 0 and 500 m, 15.5 per cent is between
500 and 1,000 m., and 27 per cent is greater than 1,000 m. Sharp changes of altitudes due to the
orographic structure of the Major and Minor Caucasus Mountains and the location of the Kur-Araz
lowlands form the unique climate in the Republic. Climate conditions and relief of the area plays
special role in formation of the water resources of the republic.
Forests and wetlands of Azerbaijan play an important role in formation and distribution of
water resources of the country. In this regards their protection, sustainable use and restoration are
essential for the sustainability of water resources management.
Wetlands of Azerbaijan and their role as water provider
Wetlands of Azerbaijan perform functions such as flood control, water purification, water
regulation, production of fish and etc. They exist at all elevation zones from marches in river deltas,
to swamps, lakes, and creeks in alpine regions.
There are 250 wetland areas, including mountain lakes with total area of 250 km2 . Ten of which
have the surface area more than 5 km2 . Some of the lakes are freshwater and others are saltwater
lakes.
Wetlands are been categorised as followings:
1. Wetlands of Kura araz lowlands
2. Wetlands of Absheron;
3. Mountain wetlands
Ramsar Sites of Azerbaijan Ag-Gol and Ghizil-Agaj and many other wetlands in the Kura floodplain play
important role for flood mitigation and water supply for fish. Most of the wetland areas are located on the
Caspian Sea Coast and Kuta –Araz lowlands. Before their area made up 80,000 ha ( in the middle of last
century). Now area of wetlands has been dramatically decreased in result of antropogenic activity, including
construction of cascade on water reservoirs on Kura and Araz rivers .
The largest wetland in Kura-Araz lowlands is Sarisu. It is located in lowlands with an area of
65.7 km2 and capacity of 59.1 million m3 . One of the wetlands formed as a result of easy
meandering of Kur a River is stagnant at Hajigabul Lake. The area of it is 8,4 km2 , and average
depth is 1.4 m, length is 4.2 km., the capacity is 12.1 million m3 . Ag-Gel(56.2 km2 ), and
Mekhman(35.0 km2 ) lakes are also main wetlands of this area. The total area of these 4 wetlands
of Kura-Araz lowlands make up 165 km2
As it is mentioned, the construction of water reservoirs negative ly affected the wetlands. Level
of water at Shilyan, Bostanchala, Garasu, Mahmudchala, Agchala and other wetlands has
significantly decreased and most of them had died because of non sufficient amount of water. Four
mentioned large wetlands which are separated from Kura now get water from the collectordrainage system of Kura-Araz lowlands.
In result number of flood increased and fish reserves have been decreased. People also can not
use wetlands so wide as they did before. Now wetlands of this area receive the Kura waters at the
period of maximal flooding and do not allow the flood to spread to large areas.
There are more than 50 reservoirs in Azerbaijan. Although most of them were been built for
irrigation purposes. Because of absence of safe drinking waters people use their waters also for
drinking.
Water reservoirs has also created their own ecosystem. They changed climate at sites where they
are built and made it more moderate. Number of dry years and strong winters has been decreased.
Reservoirs are being used for different purposes including water supply for population, irrigation
fish industry, energy production and etc.
Cascade reservoir systems on Kur River include Mingechevir, Shamkir, Yenikend, and Varvara
Reservoirs. The “Araz” water junction on the Araz River and the Sarsang Reservoir on the Tartar
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River also produce energy. The Jeyranbatan Reservoir supplies Baku and Sumqayit cities with
potable water. Water to this reservoir comes through Samur-Absheron Canal from Samur River.
The total amount of water taken from Samur River by this canal is estimated at 0.80 to 0.85 km3 .
The total capacity of operating water reservoirs in the country is about 20.6 km3 , the net storage
volume is 12.4 km3 , the total area is 877 km2 , and the total capacity of hydroelectric power station
(HPS) is 978,500 kilowatt.
Number of wetlands of Absheron reachs 150. Their total area makes up 50 km2 . Only 6 wetlands are
large( Boyuk Shor, Masazir, Binagadi, Kurdakhani, Khoja Khasan and Krasnoe). At XVII-XVIII centuries
wetlands of Absheron were been used for salt production and medical treatment. Now they are strongly
polluted.
Wetlands of Lesser Caucasus mountain are situated at 1400-3000m above sea level. Their number is 20
and total area is 12 km2 . Largest wetlands are Alagol, Garagol and Gou-gol. Their waters are clean. These
wetlands are good places for tourism development.
Jandargol Lake is located on the border with Georgia and has an area of 10.6 km2 and capacity of 51
Mm3 .
Number of Great Caucasus mountain wetlands reach 70. Their total area is 2km2 .In this areas number of
population is not high and waters of wetland are clean.
People of Great and Lesser Caucasus use waters of the wetlands for drinking purposes.
Many rivers of this territory have their origins in the mountain wetlands. They provide many of settlements
use their water for drinking, irrigation, agriculture and etc. The highest mountain lake is Tufangol Lake
(3,277 m) located in Demiraparan River basin. Its area is 0.1 km2 and the capacity is 0.11 Mm3 . The most
picturesque and freshwater lake of Azerbaijan is Goy-Gol that was formed as a result of earthquake in the
Agsu River at an elevation of 1,556 m in 1139. Others lakes (Maralgol, Zaligol, etc.) were also formed as a
result of that earthquake. Goy-Gol is running water pond. The area is 0.79 km2 and the capacity is 24 Mm3 .
Wetlands also take an active part in formation of beautiful ecosystem of Greater and Lesser Caucasus
mountain areas including climate of the territory. Most of rivers because of them are regulated and do not
have rear frequency run-off characteristics.
Photograph 1. Goy-Gol Lake
The water resources of Azerbaijan are limited in comparison with other countries in the South Caucasus
and is only 15 per cent of the all water resources in the region. Water per area and per person in Azerbaijan is
7.7 and 8.3 times less than in Georgia and 2.2 and 1.7 times less than in Armenia, respectively. From the
water supply point, the Republic is considered to be one of the driest regions of the world with
approximately 100,000 m3 /year of water per km2 , and the annual amount of water per person is 950 to 1,000
m3 /year. The total of water resources of the republic varies from 28.5 to 30.5 km3 . The number is further
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reduced in arid years to approximately 27.0 and 22.6 km3 . The water resources of the Republic are shared
unequally.
There are 8,359 rivers in the Republic and two of them (Kur and Araz Rivers) have a length of
more than 500 km. Another 22 rivers have length of 101-500 km, 40 rivers have a length of 51 to
100 km, and 107 rivers have a length of 26 to 50 km. There are 5,141 rivers in the Kur River basin
and 1,177 are of Araz River basin. Common river network density is about 0.36 km/km2 .
Groundwater provides only about 5% of the total water abstraction. It plays an important role,
however, for irrigation and water supply to provincial towns and rural areas, especially in the
foothills of the mountain ranges. Groundwater resources are mainly restricted to the foothills and
intermountain plains of the Greater Caucasus, Lesser Caucasus, Nakhchivan and Talysh. The total
groundwater resource is estimated at 24 million m3 per day (8.8 km3 per year). At present 5 million
m3 /day or 20% is exploited. Groundwater is mainly used for irrigation (78%), 3% is used by
industry and 19% for water supply to provincial towns and rural areas. The underground waters of
the republic are characterized by high quality. It is generally used in agriculture and common
industries. In Ganja-Gazakh and Garabagh-Mil confined groundwater basins, the underground
waters are mainly used for irrigation purposes in different regions of the area. Total capacity of
exploitative underground water reserves is estimated to be 8 to 9 km3 per year, which may play
significant role in sustainable water supply of Azerbaijan.
In summary, the water resources of Azerbaijan are distributed as following:
• River waters: 28.5 to 30.5 km3 of which 9.5 to 10.0 km3 belong to internal rivers and
rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea
• Freshwater wetlands: 0.03 to 0.05 km3
• Water reservoirs: full capacity of 20.6 km3 and a useful capacity of 12.4 km3
• Exploitation capacity of underground waters: 8.0 to 9.0 km3
• Water resources of glaciers: 0.080 to 0.085 km3
Wetlands play important role in water supply at low water period. They are critical components of water
cycle that delivers our freshwater. Capturing and storing precipitation they slowly release water and act as
regulators. Most of Azerbaijan wetlands too merit designation as Ramsar Wetlamnds of International
Importance.
Wetlands also need some water input in order to exist and fulfil its objectives. That is why river basin
management should be based at ecosystem approach. Run-off of rivers, basins of which have significant
wetlands is distributed more proportionally and amount of water in such rivers is higher.
For example, Ganjachay river, Kurakchay river and Tartarchay river may be considered rivers with high
wetland areas.
Forests of Azerbaijan and their role in water conservation
The total forest area of Azerbaijan is 860,000ha or 10% of its territory. Specialists estimate that 5 hundred
years ago forest cover made up 40-50%.
Forests play the main role in preventing soil erosion, protect waters and provide habitat for most of the
terrestrial animal species.
The forests are classified for five ecological regions in Azerbaijan: the Greater Caucasus Mountains, the
Lesser Caucasus Mountains, the Kura-Araz valley and floodplain, the Talish-Lenkeran zone, and the Caspian
Sea.
The Caucasus Mountains (Greater and Lesser) consist of mountain forests at altitude of 500 to 2500 m.
These are dominated by Georgian oak mixed with, for instance, hornbeam, Caucasian lime, sweet chestnut,
ash, and others, at lower altitudes. Broadleaved oak, beech and maple dominate in the higher zones. 90%of
forest (800,000ha of which 134,000ha belong to Talish mountains,360,000ha to Greater and 250,000ha to
Lesser Caucasus ) belong to mountain area. The up border of forest should be about 2500m, but because of
antropogenic influence in many places this figure is less than 2000m.
The forest coverage in Sheki Zagatala zone makes up 27%. That is why run-off coefficient here is highist.
Quality of water is high and waters are sweet. Observation shows that humidity of soil under forest is 2,5-2,8
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times higher than it is in area which is not covered by forests. These areas also are characterised with high
and stable level of ground waters.
20% of basins of Agstafachay, Tovuzchay and Zayamchay rivers is covered by forest. This leads to 4-5
times increase of their run-off.
In the basins of rivers of the South slope of Greater Caucasus(rivers of Shirvan) and many rivers of
Nakhchivan forest does not exceed 5%. In these rivers annual run –off is low and in summer they dry.
During the period of intensive rainfall of snow melting because of absence of forest often occur floods
maximal discharges of which dozen times exceed their average values. Absence of forest also create suitable
condition for soil erosion and landslides .
The role of ground waters in rivers of Gobustan because of absence of forest ground waters make
up5%of total, but at the river Pircagat of neighbouring territory with higher forest areas this figure exceed
15%.
The subalpine zone is mainly covered with low spruce, pine, fir and beech forests, including endemic
birch species, Betula medwedewii and Betula megrelica. Beside grassland, tall herbaceous vegetation can be
found in this zone, which is typical for very few mountain ecosystems (Alps, Himalayas, Pamirs). In the
alpine zone, from 2500 to 3000 m, grass meadows prevail, and areas of rhododendron and rock vegetation
can also be found.
Results of research of specialists show that in the subalpine zone mountain slopes mainly are steep and
most of waters of rainfall and melting snow flow through the surface and create plenty of tributaries. But
below at the forest zone these waters become captured by forests and transferred to grounds. In lower
elevations water appear at the surface like small springs.
Mountain steppes cover lower altitudes, and are used for agriculture (crops, vegetables, fruit trees and
fodder plants). There are many species that are remote ancestors of domestic fruit trees (e.g. pear and almond
trees). Dry scrub forests of Juniper, pistachio, maple, and almond are combined with scrub species.
In these areas run –off occurs only during the period of snow melting or rainfall. In summer rivers dry.
At the areas with no forest or other plants often soil erosion and landslides occur.
The Kura-Araz valley and floodplain includes semi-desert vegetation (dominated by wormwood).
Steppe vegetation occurs in the lowlands and foothills, dominated by grass and thorny shrubs, within which
small areas of endemic pine, Pinus eldarica, can be found. This zone is also used for agriculture. Total
forestry makes up 0.8% and no run-off.
Riparian (tugay) forests occur along riverbanks. Wing nut, oak and poplar prevail. These forests are
especially endangered in the Kura valley, because the water regime has been changed by the construction of
a hydropower plant. Now in the Kura valley this figure has decreased to 23,000 ha.
Forests help to conserve river bed stop its deformation and soil erosion and protect wetlands of the area
from drying.
The Talish-Lenkeran zone is found along the western part of the Caspian coastline and the Talish
Mountains. This area is well known for relict forests (Quercus castanifolia , Zelkova carpinifolia , Caucasian
persimmon, Girkan poplar and hornbeam).
In mountains forests help to increase the run-off coefficient.
Forests play important role in formation, distribution and conservation of water resources. About 60,000
ha forests ( 5 %of total) carry water conservation functions, of which 40,000ha is situated at plain areas.
Results of research show that run-off of rivers with high forestry coefficient basins in summer months is
higher. Role of ground waters in formation of run-off of these rivers also is higher.
In order to provide all year run-off of rivers the area of forest at their basin should be 25-30%.In this
regards forest areas should be increased And density of forest at southern exposition and steep slops
should be higher.
Trees to be planted should be different because of high conservation property of mixed forests.
In Azerbaijan, forests are degraded owing to two major problems. These are illegal logging and
grazing, both caused by economic problems and poverty.
Construction of the hydropower plant in the Kura-Araz river catchment system (Mingchevir) also
changed the water regime and contributed to the degradation and loss of tugay forests. The natural flood
cycle on which these forests depended was lost and no biodiversity conservation measures were taken.
Another hydropower plant, which is currently under construction in the Kura river valley (Enikend), could
add to the habitat degradation. Tugay forests are among the last original white poplar habitats, and provide
nesting and wintering sites for waterfowl species. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources is
considering measures for the restoration of these areas, including pumping and irrigation systems that would
keep changes in the water levels close to natural ones. Although it is not possible to assess the size of the
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impacted area without a thorough EIA, the fact is that the few remaining tugay forests are very endangered
and should be preserved.
Local communities, including large numbers of refugees, try to solve their economic problems by raising
cattle, over which there is no control. Too many animals per unit of area degrade pastures and forest areas,
especially young trees and shrubs. Forest regeneration is thus endangered, and overgrazed pastures turn to
barren soil exposed to erosion. An integrated approach to forest and rangeland management is needed.
Forestry inspectors report that illegal logging is widespread, amounting to 30,000 to 40,000 m3 annually
(no statistics were available to verify these figures). Owing to the energy crisis, local people and refugees cut
forests to provide their households with firewood. Inspection is very weak; there is one forest inspector per
rayon (34 altogether) and they lack equipment (primarily vehicles and communication tools).
Water ecosystem conservation activities in Azerbaijan
Since 2002, forest management plans have been developed by the Forest Management Agency,
which is financed by the State budget, and the plans are approved by the Forestry Department of the
Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Lack of institutional experience in both forest
inventory and planning is considered a major institutional problem in dealing with forestry.
The protection and rehabilitation of forests are financed from the Forest Fund, administered by
the Forestry Department. Its sources of revenue are fines imposed for violating the Forestry Code
and donations. It was reported that the Fund was mostly used to cover the salaries of employees in
rayon offices, and there is not enough for other reforestation expenses. According to the National
Programme for the Restoration and Expansion of Forests (approved by the President in 2003), about
64,000 ha should be reforested by 2008, but only about 3000 ha will be completed in 2003, owing
to insufficient financing.
During 2002-2003 years reforestation activities were carried out at more than 15,000ha.
Two measures for combating forest degradation are being implemented. The first one is fencing
of forest areas in which there is young growth, which needs to be preserved, to keep livestock out.
The other is reforestation .
Protected area categories defined by the Law on Specially Protected Natural Areas and Objects
(2000) include those that are international (some natural reserves), national (State reserves and
national parks) and local (natural reserves, natural monuments, zoological parks, botanical gardens
and dendrological parks, health resorts). Private landowners or long-term lessees can also establish
local specially protected areas. National parks, natural parks, ecological parks and zoological parks
have the status of nature protection and research institutions. There are no provisions on the
organization of these institutions. Protected areas are established for protection, research,
monitoring, training and tourism purposes. Banned activities are listed for each protection category.
Currently, there are 34 protected areas, of which 14 are strict nature reserves (zapovedniki) and
20 are nature reserves (zakazniki) . Zapovedniki correspond to the first protection category of the
World Conservation Union (IUCN). According to the National Report on the Ecological Network
(2001), they occupy 192,761 ha (2.2% of the country). Each zapovednik is managed by a director
and has 20 to 25 permanent staff. Zakazniki and other protected categories (including endemic and
relict forests) occupy 379,000 ha or 4.3% of Azerbaijan’s territory. They have a weaker
conservation status and are managed either by zapovedniki managers or by the regional authorities.
According to the National Report on the Ecological Network (2001) of the Committee of
Experts for the Development of the Pan-European Ecological Network, submitted to the Council of
Europe, the establishment of the national ecological network – AZECONET (specially protected
natural areas) – is expected to be one of the most efficient measures for conserving biodiversity,
because it would comprise the most important terrestrial ecosystems/habitats that need preservation.
The existing protected area system will be expanded by 500,000 ha to encompass types of habitats
that are not sufficiently represented. This programme will run until 2010.
Another important for sustainable rural development measure, is the national park development.
By the decrees of the President of Azerbaijan Republic Ordubad, Shirvan,Aggol and Hikran
national parks are been created. Many wetland an forest areas are been preserved at these parks.
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Creation of Shah-dag National Park in the Northern Caucasus within Azerbaijan is supported by
the World Bank, the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and other donors. The national focal point is
the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources. The core park area will be under strict biodiversity
conservation, mainly:
Integrated forest, rangeland and protected areas management. The park management plan will be
developed in a participatory process, targeting particularly capacity-building of the public sector
and improvement of environmental knowledge of local communities. It will be based on
intersectoral cooperation and focused particularly on forest and tourist components and
management.
Rural energy supply and conservation. Measures for reducing unsustainable firewood use will be
introduced by developing a rural energy strategy and public awareness campaign.
Environmental management capacity-building and environmental education. This component will
assist the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources to improve protected area management,
forestry management and environmental management, including education programmes for civil
servants in environmental situations
To ensure that the project is sustainable, appropriate incentives are planned to involve the local
communities and demonstrate local benefits (e.g. local income-generating activities, such as
ecotourism). The institutiona l and public capacity-building component is assessed as critical,
because the Ministry, regional and park staff should maintain and replicate the project’s outcomes
once it has been completed. Pilot testing of the newly developed management tools and timely
dissemination of the results to local communities are also intended to reduce the project’s risks.
Shah-Dag National Park (World Bank) project will also envisage building databases and
software. This would serve as a basis for biodiversity monitoring and significantly contribute to the
development of a national information system and biodiversity management.
Several environmental NGOs are involved both in projects and in awareness-raising. For
example, the Birdlife Organization works on high mountain ecosystem protection; the Ecological
Education Organization is engaged in the development of the Caucasus mountain tourism route; and
the Azerbaijan Society for the Protection of Animals cooperates with the World Wide Fund for
Nature (WWF) to improve veterinary services, implement the Aarhus Convention, develop public
education programmes on the environment and monitor the seals in the Caspian Sea.
Regarding to river ecosystem protection it is worthy to note that within the South Caucasus
water management project of USAID as a pilot project in the Alazan river basin was developed the
Integrated River Basin Plan. In this plan wide stakeholder participation is considered and series of
necessary projects have been identified. Some of them are directed at water resources, wetlands and
forests conservation. During last two years some NGOs of Alazan river basin implemented 8 public
awareness project in this sphere. NGOs , local population and schoolchildren attended field work
on river bed cleaning, forest planting and etc.
In order to increase public participation in water ecosystem management group of stakeholders
was created and instructions in the field of water resources conservation were been pre[pared and
submitted to the basin population through organised training.
This experience gained there may be used by other river basins of the country.
All above mentioned show that unsustainable management of wetlands and forests of the country since
the middle of the last century negatively effected on water, people, flora and fauna, and on society. It was
also connected with low level of awareness of population, and decisions made have often caused destruction
of these ecosystems with negative consequences for the water resources.
Crucial aspects are the monitoring and assessment of the efficiency of protection and restoration measures
with regard to water management and the definition of future measures needed to meet the set performance
objectives
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Water resources are important elements of development processes, and their management should be based
on integrated ecosystem approach combining land and water management with the needed collaboration of
all stakeholders.
The role of wetlands and forests in this regards should be taken into account.
When developing strategies it is necessary to relate many of other wetlands of Azerbaijan to important
categories accordingly with the Ramsar convention. Planting of forests should be sufficient to cover the
demands of river ecosystems.
Public awareness campaigns about the role of wetlands and forests as water suppliers among the different
stakeholders in the whole watershed (national authorities, the public and the private sector) should be carried
and stakeholders, including the public, NGOs should be involved in the planning and implementation of
basin-wide water-related projects to guarantee integration of forests, wetlands and water management
policies, their efficiency and sustainability.
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